Gaza Genocide23 February, 20263 min read
Israel Designates Five Palestinian Media Outlets as 'Terrorist Organizations'
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Defense Minister Israel Katz designated five Palestinian media outlets as terrorist organisations The order named Al-Asima, Quds Plus, Al-Quds Al-Bawsala, M3raj/Miraj and Maydan Al-Quds
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Designation of Palestinian outlets
Israeli authorities issued a military order designating five Palestinian media outlets as terrorist organisations. The order named Al Asima News (Alasima), Auds Plus (Plus Quds), Alquds Albawsala, Maraj (M3raj/M3raj Network) and Maydan Alquds. The order was signed by Defence Minister Israel Katz, who the ministry says authorised the move amid accusations the outlets had ties to Hamas and were used to incite unrest in Jerusalem.
“The outlets—Al Asima News, Auds Plus, Alquds Albawsala, Maraj, and Maydan Alquds—were accused of having links to Hamas and of being used to incite unrest, particularly in Jerusalem.”
Reports say the Israeli Defence Ministry presented the designation on security grounds but did not publish specific evidence supporting the accusations. Media monitors, rights groups and local outlets described the step as part of a wider squeeze on Palestinian reporting. Some outlets suspended operations immediately after the order.
NDTV Profit and usmuslims reported the names and accusations. Al Jazeera noted the ministry had not presented evidence and framed the move as part of a broader crackdown. TRT World and Journalism Pakistan reported suspensions and emergency law use.
Media restrictions' impact in Jerusalem
The order severs key, real-time sources of information for Palestinians in Jerusalem, a city many cannot freely access because of checkpoints and permit restrictions. It targets outlets that documented day-to-day events such as home demolitions, settler takeovers and incursions into holy sites. Al Jazeera warned the order "cuts off crucial, real-time sources of information for Palestinians—especially about events in Jerusalem."
TRT World and Journalism Pakistan documented that these platforms were covering home demolitions, land seizures and arrests, and that some outlets either suspended operations or had to report from outside the Old City. Sources report that the designated outlets primarily operate digitally and that the orders mostly target online distribution, creating a chilling effect for local reporting.
Criticism of press restrictions
Press‑freedom groups, legal experts and monitoring organisations described the designation as part of a broader campaign to restrict independent reporting, arguing the orders lack transparent judicial review and specific evidence and will drive self‑censorship or force outlets to move online or abroad. Journalism Pakistan warned the orders "risk suppressing independent reporting, encourage self‑censorship, lack transparent judicial review and may violate due process." Al Jazeera and TRT World cited past and present restrictions, including bans on Al Jazeera and limits on foreign journalists in Gaza.
“Press‑freedom groups, Palestinian media advocates and legal experts warn the orders risk suppressing independent reporting, encourage self‑censorship, lack transparent judicial review and may violate due process; international watchdogs call for clear criteria when national security is invoked.”
Monitoring sites reported between more than 250 and nearly 300 journalists and media workers killed in Gaza since the war began. Critics quoted by the outlets say the measures echo earlier claims that preceded arrests and other reprisals against journalists.
Media access and narrative control
Observers say the designation is part of a wider hardening of policy by Israel’s right‑wing government since late 2022 and of intensified movement controls after the Gaza war began in October 2023. They argue the orders are one element in efforts to narrow who can report from Jerusalem and to manage the city's narrative. usmuslims summarises the action as "amid a wider hardening of Israeli policy under the right‑wing government since late 2022."
TRT World warns the result is a "managed narrative silence enforced by legal orders, military designations and digital erasure." Al Jazeera notes the government has "barred independent foreign journalists from Gaza except those embedded with the military" and has extended bans on Al Jazeera, which it says signals a broader policy of restricting coverage.
Media impact and safeguards
The long-term impact will depend on legal challenges, migration to other platforms, and international response. Journalism watchdogs and some outlets called for clear criteria when national security is invoked.
“The long‑term effect depends on whether the outlets challenge the orders in court or migrate to alternative platforms.”
Journalism Pakistan said, "The long‑term effect depends on whether the outlets challenge the orders in court or migrate to alternative platforms," and urged transparent safeguards. Al Jazeera and TRT World highlighted past patterns where similar accusations preceded arrests or worse for journalists, warning the designation could deepen self‑censorship and restrict independent eyewitness reporting from Jerusalem.
